Transitioning to renewable energy sources and making electric vehicles affordable for more people are among the actions advocates in the Illawarra want to see from the next federal government.
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Warren Holder, president of the Gerroa Environmental Protection Society, said taking steps to address climate change was an important issue.
Mr Holder said climate change would continue to amplify the impacts of weather events like floods and fires, and lead to the further loss of habitat for wildlife in the Illawarra and across Australia.
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"The water's warming around us and it's having an incredible effect on the environment," he said, citing the detrimental impacts already seen on the Great Barrier Reef.
Mr Holder said he wanted to see more investment in renewable energy sources, as well as batteries for electricity storage and back-up.
If more people were able to use battery storage for electricity produced through renewable sources, he said, more people could go off-grid.
Close to home, Mr Holder said he wanted protection for the sites where Boral was expanding its Dunmore sand mine, especially the 5B pit site which was historically and culturally significant for Aboriginal people.
The Illawarra Climate Coalition's Kerrie Faulkner identified moving away from fossil fuels was vital for the next government.
"First and foremost, a transition away from coal-based power as soon as possible, without resorting to gas," Ms Faulkner said.
But this had to be a "just transition", she said, with support for workers to change employment and steps to protect low-income earners from the brunt of increasing power costs.
Ms Faulkner would also like to see the introduction of subsidies for the importation of electric vehicles, to make them more attractive encourage more people to choose them over petrol-driven vehicles.
"For the average Joe on the street, [the cost] is quite prohibitive," she said. While Australia had a target of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Ms Faulkner said decarbonisation needed to happen by 2030.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
